davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
EIRST RIOWS-

The night of the 5th passed without alarm.
Only the men on picket seemed to realize that
terrible struggle was close at hand Even
Gen. Sherman, notwithstanding the unrest
that had prevailed along the front during the
day, wrote to Gen. Grant: Il do not appre-
bend anything like an attack upon our posi-
tion," and Grant on the same day dispatched
Halleck: 81 have scarcely the faintest idea of
an attack general one being made upon u.s. +"
Gen Halleck himself advised Buell that he
''would leave for Corinth in the beginning of
the coming week"
Among the Confederates, however, all was
activity. Long before the early dawn they
had breakfasted and stripped for the bloody
work of the day Lines were formed and
advanced and men looked into their comrades
eyes wondering whether they would meet
again around the bivouac fire or he only
some loved ones memory IN dead soldiers
trench. Aroused by the hum Of 10000 men
waking up for battle, pickets were thrown
forward from the right of Gep Prentiss'
division to ascertain the cause, a portion of
the Twenty fifth Missouri, and a little later
five companies of the Twenty-frst Missouri,
under Col Moore, thus having the honor of
firing the first shots that rang up the curtain
on the drama of Shiloh. This detachment
struck battalion of the Third Mississippi,
Major Hardcastle, of Woods brigade, Gar-
dee's corps, and the sbirmshing that ensucd
quickly extended along the front The entire
Confederate line, two miles in length. now
moved forward, the direction being such as
to bring it first in contact with the right of
Prentiss and the left of Sherman. A broad
gap, more than mile in width, existed be-
tween these two points, and into this the
Confederates plunged with fury that was
overpowering Prentiss' forces fell back in
confusion, leaving their camps in the hands
of tho enemy, and several of the regiments of
Sherman's left were equally demofali2ed
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
GETTING INTO LINE.

The war department having, on the 18th of
March. authorized the consolidation OF tho
army Of Gen. Breil with that of Ha!Ieck. the
former. was ordered IN rnarch his forcos
~ r,,,., r., $50, 49,, I,ro,.s,S
-. 49, '-''''a" ,r Iehle'
f",h' iu,ther up Vhe ienheSsee
was the rendezvous designated IN the
original plans of the commander IN
chief The fact had at last become impres-
sive that Johnston and r,,,,,roe-ard ,rara
,,ass;,,e- t1,ai $50, - ,,;+f, "a ;retoaS
80 - 49,. a., -,, nv ''e-
u d hui .'' '''S' - :, ny ~ tOi''i''h 10 '7ar
up section 81 railway, tae programmes
no" contemplated struggle between great
armies for the possession of the most vital
strategic point in the southwest. The move
mani ri Fall fo,.,s f,,,, N1sh,-;lI, l,.-,,,
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07


nate lines This movement was under tlro
command of Breckmbridge, and it is conceded
was conducted with steadiness and with no
attempt 10 follow Indeed Gen. Grant, in his
report to Eaileck, Gays that his force was
atoo much fatigled frosa two days hard fight
ing and exposure in ti.a even cir TO drench-
ing rain in the integYG night to pursue
Immediately" Bie.ltaIidge that night
car,psd about mile and half from the bat
tIefeid, and the next Gay moved three miles
further 10 the rear The other commands
with their fragments marched back to their
encampments around Corinth.
In the Medical and Surgical History OF
the War; the loss in killed, wounded and
missing on the Federal side during the two
days fighting is fixed at 1858. According
to Beaulegard, the aggregate of Confederate
loss was 1852 And so ended the bsttie of
Shiloh The flag Of the Union fieated once more
along the lines fIoTa which 1t had been driven,
and the fist foot prints were made in that
wonderful campaign which, beginning at
Donelson, look definite shape at Cerinth AMI
Memphis recovered the Mississippi fion
Vickshurg TO New Orleans, chrystaizaG ~
"The March 10 the Sea-" and eliminated
Appomattax Court House.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07

and Buell. met at Sheiznan's headquarters.
and it was there arranged that the attack
should be begun at daylight Gen Lew Wal.
lace occupied the right of line, resting on
Snake creek; Sherman, McClerRand and
HuIlbqt, With the remnants of Wallacc's and
Prentiss men, were posted next from right to
left. while acCooi;, Crittenden and Nelson,
of BuelfS army, in tie order named, consti-
tuted the left wing. The skrmshing began
early, tho advanced outposts of Mel
son being the first to strike those
Of the enemy. The Confederate right
consisted of Hardees corps, with Chal-
mer's and Jacksons brigades Of BragS's
corps. Cen. Bragg was on the left with the
remainder of his command, and Clarkes
lucky brigade. Gen. Breckenridge was on
tho left of Hardec. and Gen. Polk fell into
line between Bragg and Breckenridge From
the beginning of the contest the fighting was
severe at every point. Several times the
ground was lost and won, batteries were
taken and retaken, and Federals and Con
federstes lay side 10y side in the dcnsa woods
and muddy fields through which they had
struggled FOR the possession Of the can,ns. 1t
was evident long before noon, however, that
the enemy was being pushed steadily back
and the ground conquered by item the day
before, stubbOrnly surrendered. The
musketry at times surpassed in its volume
and execution anything; of the kind vet known
In the war; tents were riddied with bullet
holes; one tree not eighteen inches in
diameter was struck by ninety balls not ten
feet from the ground. and mangled horses,
mutilated men, living ard dead, broken gun
carriages and ell the naIneless debris of q bat
tlefield were spread around in appalling con-
fusion.
Seeing his troops beginning to lag, and ex-
hausted regiments dropping out of line.
Beauregard between 9 and o'clock sent
word to his extreme right to retrest IN alter
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
FEELING THE WAV

Events now began TO move hriskly Gen.
Smith, with q portion ss the expedition, bay
ing arrived On the 18th, Gen. Sherman was
ordered to land at some point below EastporJ
and cut the Memphis and Charleston railroad
between Tuscumbia and Corinth. Passing
Pittsburg Landing, he learned that on a
former trip up the river Capt Gwin, of the
gunboat, found posted there o Confederate
regiment the Eighteenth louisiana, and ac-
cordingly sent word to Gen. Smith that
troops might properly be ordered to that
place.
Returning to headquarters on the night
Of the 14tb, Sherman reported his in
ability to carry out the orders Of Gen.
Halleck, wherpupon he was instructed by Gen.
Smith to "liSrmbnrk his own division and
that Of Gen Hurlhut, which had also arrived
at PittSburS Landing; TO take positions well
back, and to lcaHe room for his whole army,
adding that he woIld soon come up in per
son and move out i'll force to make the Iodg-
mcnt on the railroad contemplated by Cen
Ralleck." In;tslnuch as the credit of chOos-
ing this landing Us the most advantageous
position that was offered. belongs to Gen c.
r. Smith, it may Le remarked here that when
ne was commanda1ff of the military acad-
envy at West Point, Grant and Sherman were
there as cadets.
Frequent Reconnaissance now disclosed the
fact that every road and path was occupied
by the enemy's pickets. As early as the 10th
Sherman, accompanied by Lieut.. Col after
ward general MePherson, advanced about
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07

The relative positions Of tho two armies at
this time were as follows: The Federals occu-
pied "a continuous line from Lick creek on
the left, to Owl creek, a branch of Snake
creek, on the right, facing nearly south, and
possibly a little west" Their first line was
held by Gems Sherman's and Prentiss'
divisions, extending from n bridge on Owl
creek to the Lick creek ford Gen. Sher-
mans first brigade, Col, Mcdowell, formed
the extreme right; his fourth, Col. auckland,
was west OF the Shiloh church aud rested on
II, and his third, Col Hildebrand, was east
of the church and also rested on it, Then be-
gan the line of Prentiss' division, and after
wards, at a long interval, was posted Sher-
mans second brigade, Col. Stuart, in close
proximity to Lick creek About half a
mile in rear of this line was McClernand's
division, somewhat between Sherman and
Prentiss. Hurlbut was massed and in re-
serve to the rear and left Of Prentiss, on
the road leading to Hamburg, and mile and
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07

Forty-slNta Ono, GEN. BEAUREGARD.
and Fortieth Illinois, battered like heroes
against the enemy's extreme left, but the re-
suit was as before, recession to the left and
rear. The brigade of Col Marsh, which in
ciuded the Eleventh, Twentieth, Forty fifth
and Forty-eighth Illinois, was subjected to
one OF the hottest onslaughts Of the day. In
five minutes nearly all of the field officers
were killed or wounded, together with all the
horses of Burrows battery which was posted
on his center. The first brigade also retired
in disorder. The third brigade, enfiladea and
turned ON its left flank did the same, and its
commander, Col. Rath, was MORALLY
wounded. When the division reformed its
right still connected with Sherman while
the left was protected by the ravines
and impenetrab,e thickets that interviewed
between it and the division Of ". H.
l. Wallace The struggle continued
with varying success until late in the after
noon. At one time McClernand pushed the
enemy half mile through and beyond his
camp, but the advantage was only temporary
Fresh assaults forced him still further rear
ward. where he received the final attack made
that day on the Federal right The resist
ance was gallant, obstinate and worthy Of the
men who made it, and when it was over they
went into bivouac for tho night
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
A RETROSPECT.


Missouri having been secured to the Union,
the principal field of activity was transferred
to Kentucky and Tennessee, and Maj. Gen
Halleck placed in chief command of all tho
armies in the valley of the Mississippi, with
headquarters at St Louis These included
the army of the Ohio, Gen. Don Carlos Buell.;
the army of the Tennessee Gen Grant; the
army of the Mississippi, Gen. Pope, and that
OF Gen S T. Curtis, in southwestern Mis-
souri, This was in February, 1862 Gen W.
7. Sherman was posted at Paducah for the
purpose of facilitating operations on the Ten
uessee and Cumberland rivers, and in the
meantime was organizing out of the new
troops arriving there a division for himself
when no should he allowed to take the field
by Gen. Halleck The latter thus had sub
ject to his general orders an aggregate of
125, 600 men of all arms.
The Confederate line Of defense extended
east and west. from Columbus on the Missis-
sippi, to Bowling Green Forts Donelson and
Henry being near the centerl The depart
ment was under the command of Gen Albert
Sidney Johnston, distinguished officer of the
old army and a lifelong friend and conf
dante of jefferson Davis. His forces con-
sisted OF $500 electives, o. whom "A. 600 were
with him at Bowling Green; 1900 under the
bishop general, Ieonidas Polk, at Columbus
and neighb0rhood, and the remainder at Forts
Henry and DOneiSon- tlarktSSlLte ana else
where, under command of Gems. Buckner,
Rushrod R johnson, Pillow and Floyd. The
capture OF Forts Henry and DonelsoB, having
shattered the Confederate lire, the evacuation
of Columbus, Bowling Green and Nashville,
followed, and with the fall Of Island Number
10, New Madrid. and the opening OF the Mis-
sissippi to Fort Pillow, the national authority
was established over the whole of the state of
Kentucky and Tennessee became d thorough
Al. I.
splendid series Of successes and Grant stepped
at once into national fame.
Johnston and Beauregard now retired
southwark. it being evident to the military
mind that the Memphis and Charleston rail
road between Memphis AID Chattanooga
would constitute the new line, and that the
concentration of troops must therefore take
place somewhere in that vicinity. But where'
The answer was problem to the command
ers on bOlh sides
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
SHILOH.
How the Hen Of the West Organ
lied for Victory.
STRIKING FIRST BLOWS.
An Impartial Story Of 0ae of the
Decisive Battles of the War.

A Bloody Fieid-The Desperate Fighting
lace Hold the Key of the Position
Until Que Is Captured and tho Other
KiIled-Death of the Confederate Com
mander-scenes of Splendid Murder.
Veterans in Camp and Raw Recruits
Under IsFe-iiiinois, Indiana, Iowa.
Ohio and' Michigan Troops Face the
Best Fighting Material In the South
west-The Days Results.
twenty-five years have rolled by since the
desperate struggle occurred that. on the 9Th
and 7th of April, 1862, broke down the chief
barrier to the Mississippi valley and paved
the way for the occupation by the national
forces of every important point between
Memphis and New Orleans Yet even after
this long period, it is still conceded that the
battl of Shiloh, notwithstanding its far
reaching results, was move upon the mill
tary chess board not contemplated by the
authorities on either side until a very short
time prior to the beginning of the combat.
Gen. Sherman says in his memoirs that
"Haileck's intentions were to break up rail-
way communications between the Mississippi
and " 'inessee rivers. We did not fortify
our AMPS because we had no orders
to DO SO, and because such course
would naturally have made our raw men
timid" Gen Buell. testifies that the move
ment of troops up the Tennessee was purely
an eSpeditionary service, and after some
attempts to debark at other points further
up the river, Pittsburgh Landing was finally
chosen as the most eligible for the temporary
object and, finally, Gen. Beauregard, in a
recent review Of the campaign, remarks: "To
say that any one, including Gen. Johnston
and myself, bad thought of Corinth, and
could have designated it as the strategic
point of the Shiloh campaign. before the
enemy had given evidence of any hostile
movements from or near Pittsburg Landing
on the Tennessee river, is sheer folly, and
scarcely needs contradiction to be so pro-
nouncedf
1t is also beyond question that there were
inadequate preparations, unnecessary delays,
lost opportunities and sundry other obstacles
to really decisive success on both sides; and
for quarter of a century, they have been
themes of rscrimination and exculpatory
statements, with no other result than to re-
yive and confirm the memory OF faults.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07


Staver's brigade Of Hindman's division first
crossed lancss with that of Prentiss, while
Gen. Hindman in person with Woods brigade,
struck the Fifty-third Ohio, Col. Appler, the
extreme left of Sherman, which Yves posted
on the left Of Shiloh church. Cleburnes
brigade attacked auckland, and Hildebrand
joining in the fray, it became fierce blow
for blow along the entire front Though men
on both sides fell like chaff, the broken ranks
continued to rally until the weaker went
down to stay. Hildebrands brigade retired
In disorder, but part of Sherman's position
was on steep and bushy Slope that com
manded the DOGGY bottom or valley of Oak
creek, and this was occupied by the brigade
of Col. auckland with bis men from Ohio
Here occurred one of the ugliest contests of
the morning. The Confederates charged by
brigades, regiments and fragments of battal-
ions. Grape, canister, shell, round shot and
mimic balls swept the place like torrid
simeon. Whole-ranks crumbled before the
pitiless pelting Of the iron rain; The ground
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07

GEN FftfNItsS- btL'@iEtlAN ftilA iNt-
ing at some point on the line. but seldom ct all
points at the same time 1t was a case Of south
ern dash against northern pluck and endurance.
Gen. W. T. Sherman, in bis memoirs, says:
1t was publicly asserted at the north that our
army was taken completely 10y surprise; that the
rebels caught us in our tents; hayouettsd the
men in their beds that Gen Grant was drunk;
that Buells opportune arrival saved the Army OK
the Tennessee from utter humiliation, etc. These
reports were, In a measure, sustained by the pun
lished opinions of Gems Buell., Nelson and others,
who had reached the steamboat landing from the
east Just before nightfall, when there was large
crowd of frightened, stampeded men who clam
cred and declared that our army all de-
stroyed and beaten. Personally ] saw Gen.
Grant, who with his staff visited me
about 10 O. IN. on the 9Th, when We were des-
perately engaged But we had then checked
the headlong assault of the enemy and then
held our ground He told Inc that on his way up
from Cr1lnlp's landing he had ordered Lew Wal.
laces division to cross over Snake creek so as 10
come up on my right He also came again Just
before dark and described the last assault made
by the rebels al the raviae near the steamboat
landing, which he had repealed by a heavy hat
terry collected under Col ]. D. Webster and other
officers and he was convinced that the battle was
over for that day. He ordered me to be ready to
assume the offensive in the morning. saying that
as be had observed at Fort Donelson at the crisis
of the battle. both sides seemed defeated, and
whoever assumed the offensive was sure 10 win.
1t is undoubtedly true that the attack on
the raw troops produced panic. which more
or less infected other commands, but when the
real death grapple occurred with veterans
like those of Wallace, Hurlbut and McCler-
nard, the splendid men from Indiana, Hi
nois, Iowa and elsewhere in the west, who
had been hardened in the service, the des.
perate resistance that was made and the
varying fortunes of thu fight demonstrated
that the unexpected assault was not neces-
sarily "a walk over" The broken character
of the ground, the frequently disordered lines
and shifting positions Of the day, make it in
possible to present here more than pan
oranic view of the battle.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
CONCENTRATING A! coRlNTH,

In -four weeks after the excavations of the
Confederate positions in Tennessee, frag-
ments OF commands from Bowling Green, KY,
under Hardee; Columbus, KY, under Polk
and Pensacola, Mobile and New Orleans, I'M
der Bragg. with such new levies as could be
hastily raised, were united at or near Corinth
and for The first time organized as an army
ut was h heterogeneous mass" says Gen.
Bragg, in which there was more enthusiasm
than discipline, more capacity than knowl-
edge and more valor than instruction. Rifles,
snnothbo-e nluskets-many OF them with the
Old flint and stce!-and shotSuirs OF all sizes
and patterns, held place in TIE same regi-
nlent5. Thu .orce, about 70, G0J of all arms,
was divi 'od it.to Four corps, respectively com
manded by Gems Polk, Bragg, Hardee and
Breckenridge. with Beauregard second in
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07

similar to that Of GEN. BhECkiNhIDGE.
Folks corps behind Bragg's left wing, be-
tween the Pittsburg road and Lick creek.
Folks and Breckinridge's troops constituted
the reserve, and were to be thrown forward
as the exigencies required in support of the
two lines Of battle The total of infantry and
artillery engaged was about 10000 and there
were besides 3,0So cavalry which were chiefly
used for outpost duty fhe aggregate of re
turns make Al, l5S present for duty in Grants
army at Pittsbnrg Landing on Sunday morn
inc
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
nHANCERY NOTICE.

STATE OF ILLINOIS,
Rock ISLAND COUNTY. IS
To the May Term, A. D. 1887, of the Circuit
Court In Chanccry.
Ebert olney Dillon, Celia g. Wright. Eliza
l.. Stanley, Emua 3 Wells and Nellie L
Swecker and Arthur swecker, by William NJ
Benete, their next friend. vs. Jacob White
man, Elizabeth Gorton, Euraria G Gorton. John
s. Gorton. Truman Is. Gorton. Nellie Gorton,
Belle l.. Gorton, aud the unknown heirs aud de-
yisees OF Jacob Ahi.eman. deceased Bill TO
quiet title, etc
To the above named nonresident defendants.
TramanB. Gortoa, JacUb Mhiteman and the uu'
Known heirs and devtsees of Jacob Whitemar. de-
ceased Notice il hereby given TO YOU that the
above named eomplanants nave filed in said ceurt
their bill of conf laint against YOU on the chance
ry side of said court; that summons ia chancery
has been issued in said cause against yon returna
bic to the next term Of said circuit court to be be-
gun and holden at the court house. in the city Of
Rock island. in said county. on the first Monday
of May, A, ID. 1857, at which time and place Won
can appear, and plead, answer or demur TO said bill
of Goa plant If you see fit.
10. II. BOWMAN, Jr.
Clerk Of said Court
S~EENEy Il WALKER, Cemprts Sofrs.
Dated at Rock Island, H., March %. 1857. -
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07
WAS IL A SURPRISE 2

Whether all this rapid movement so soon
after the sounding of the long roll along the
national front was q surprise, in a strictly
military sense, is still among tile many con
troverted questions connected with the battle.
Losing in his History of the Civil War"
says:
Many OF the officers were yet siumberng
others were dressing others were wishing or
cooking. Their guns were unloaded and accou
trements strewu around without order tlany Of
the troops were without sufficient supply Of am.
munition, The first intimation that tie Coated-
crates were close upon them In force was the cry
of the flying pickets pushing into camp, and the
scream ard crash OF shells and the WHISTLE of
balls they new deadly erTends through tie
tents and the forest. 1t was an unexpected as
sault followed by the most fearful results
Gen. Buell., in his Shiloh Reviewed" says:
have only TO remark that each revival Of the
question of surprise has placed the fact in more
garing light. fhe energy was known to be at
tain In what force or with what design The call
TO arms blended with the crash Of assault and
when the whole forest on the rising -rcuua in
front flashed with the CLEAN of bayoaetS then Gen
Sherman as he reports, beca1ss satisfied for the
first time that the enemy designed determined al
tack
John S c. Abbott says:
Officers we're awakened by the crash of shot ana
shell through their tents, and others were never
awakened but were found dead two DAYS after IN
their beds There was no time to organize, no
opportunity to rally.
Gen Grants oiographer, Professor CCYpe,
testlfies that Eat the outset cur troops were
shamefully surprised and driven back"
Cen Grant, IN his memoirs, referring 10
Gen. Prentiss, says:
ha hot ha Nd h 4
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07

GEN. LEW WhLIAVE- ed That a large
body of the enemy, which he supposed to be
Gen. Lew Wallace's division, hal appeared
in his front with an apparent purpose to at
tack. Under these circumstances the Con
federate commanders promptly decided to
assume the aggressive. and before daylight
Beauregard had drawn up the plan of march
and battle, and orders were issued for for
ward movement. it was intended TO reach
the enemy's front in time to attack on the
morning of the 9th, but owing to the heavy
rams that had fallen, together with
the failure of one of the divisions to come
up, the formation Of the lines was not com
nleted until the afternoon of that day Al
though ten. Johnston's headquarters at this
moment were less than two miles from the
Federal encampment, it does not appear that
the near presence of his army was even sus-
pected